Accepting New Clients for 2024
Virginia Beach, Chesapeake VA & NE North Carolina
About the Trainer & Training Philosophy:
"Dedicated to assisting each horse and rider to reach their full potential based on their individual goals. My training philosophy is based on the love and respect for the horse and my passion for the sport of Dressage. I adhere to the classical method of training and believe in the training scale as the building blocks for both the horse and rider to incorporate in their daily training. Emphasis on understanding the timing, why, and how to apply the aids for effective results to address issues and enable you to ride more correct movements. With my positive approach to training, you will learn how to achieve better communication and understanding with your horse. The horse's care, health and well being are first and foremost in considering and developing a training program. It is important that each horse's training is tailored to them. Carefully evaluating the horse, his health, fitness, nutrition, and his daily routine outside the ring are major factors in the training program. My training will never over face or demand more than each horse can handle or that of the rider. The training is not rushed or forced as I work with each rider to maintain a humane, tactful, sensitive, kind, and technical way of thinking and approach to riding to create harmony and balance between you and your horse. I strive to keep our horses happy to enjoy their job and want to work with us!" "When your horse is happy .....Everyone is A Winner!" Most of all at the end of each lesson it is my sincere hope that you leave the ring with a positive feeling of accomplishment, had fun and are looking forward to your next ride!"
ABOUT SUSAN :
- FEI Dressage Trainer
- 32 Years of dressage experience and training in Wellington, FL with world class trainers
- USDF Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist
- FEI Rider, Competitor & Trainer through Grand Prix
- 24 years Sales Specialist selling Quality Dressage Horses
- Trained and showed many self made horses through the FEI levels
- Trained and coached several students to achieve their Bronze and Silver Medals
- Competed in CDI Competitions, Regional and National Championships
- USET Ranked top 50 Horse and Rider Combination in the U.S - Olympic year 2000
- Opportunity to Ride, Train, & Clinic with Top Olympic Trainers over many years in Wellington, FL. Below is a list of some of the trainers I have had the pleasure to train with:
- Bent Jensen, Patrick Burssens, Betsy Steiner, Shannon Dueck, Robert Dover, Juan Matuta, Pam Goodrich, Cesar Parra, Michael Poulin to name a few of the trainers I have trained with. Participated in and audited many training seminars and clinics offered by top clinicians from Europe, North and South America
- Operated and managed a successful horse training, show, and sales facility in Delray Beach, FL for twelve years
- Personal trainer for a client with an equestrian facility in Wellington, FL and VA Beach, VA, full training of ten horses, lessons, shows and sales
- Dressage trainer for a facility in Menlo Park, CA developing a dressage program for eighteen riders in training horses, riders and show coaching
- Managed business, horses, scheduling, riding, clients for and trained with Bent Jensen, 1992 Danish Olympic Rider and now U.S. rider for four years.
- Trained with Patrick Burssens, Individual Gold Medalist Pan Am Games for several years
- Clinics and training working with both eventers and dressage clients in Louisville, KY for several years since 2015.
Awards & Accomplishments:
1990 - 1995 - Training, Instructing, & Showing
1995 - Turned Professional Trainer & Instructor
1998 - Florida Dressage State Champion @ 4th Level Open
1998 - Florida Dressage State Champion @ PSG Open - Reserve Champion
1998 - Florida Gold Coast Dressage Association - Intermediaire I - Open Champion
1998 - Florida Gold Coast Dressage Association - Intermediaire II - Open Champion
1999 - USDF Region #3 - Intermediaire I Championships - Open Reserve Champion -Tied 1st
1999 - USDF Region #3 - Intermediaire II Championships - Open Reserve Champion
1999 - USDF Silver Medalist
2000 - USDF Gold Medalist
2000 - USDF Region #3 - Grand Prix - Open Reserve Champion
2000 - Florida Dressage State Champion - Grand Prix Open - 1st Place
2000 - USET Qualifier Orlando Grand Prix Open - 2nd Place
2000 - USET Olympic Grand Prix Rankings - Listed Top 50 Horse & Rider Combinations U.S.
2005 - Region #3 - Open & 2006 Qualifier PSG - 2nd Place
2005 - USDF Region #3 - Open 4th Level Championships - 4th Place
2005 - USDF Region #3 - Open PSG Championships - 6th Place
2005 - Recipient of USDF Performance Certificate for PSG
2005 - 2006 - Bronze Medal Award by GCDA - Dutch Breed Award
2006 - GCDA Intermediaire I - Open Champion Year End Award
2006 - Qualified for PSG and Intermediaire I - Regionals #3 USDF/USEF Championships
2006 - S.E. Dressage Championships Intermediaire I - 1st Place Clarcona Champion
2006 - S.E. Dressage Championship PSG - 6th Place Clarcona
2016 - Majestic Farm Show - 1st Place PSG & FEI High Score Award
Through Present: Training, Riding, Instructing, Sales, Showing, and Clinics
